Realizing I Am Writing My Quirks into My Characters

Sometimes I think I am writing too much of my “qualities” in my characters, and have to wonder if this is common. I certainly don’t pretend to have all the answers, but I think it’s okay. Otherwise, how can I be sure of a certain reaction if I haven’t experienced it? It goes back to my Dale Carnegie days where lessons were taught that one has to earn the right to talk about something.

So my characters have earned the right to own dogs, ride horses, have red hair (okay, not natural, but still red), go goth, and jump at nearly anything that startles them. It could be a loud sound, stray bolt of lightning, or even a Pop-Tart popping out of the toaster. I am still the champ at the Limbic System and its flight or fight reaction. I found this interesting answer that explains how such a reaction occurs.

I knew I was a survivor!

The next time I am torn between writing about a personal response, I will be sure to think further into it. I do sometimes like to envision a new character that is entirely unlike me, but after a while, I realize traits start coming out that pulls her back into my sphere. Sometimes it feels like I am just writing an extension of myself into my stories, and I love that fact. The idea I get to experience such fantasy adventures is pretty cool since my life in Indiana isn’t that exciting!

And who knows were the stories over the years will take me? I’ve lived vicariously through my characters in California, New Orleans, Michigan, Purgatory, and Greece! I’ve dated vampires, wizards, half angels, and demigods. Not too shabby!

Still blocked!

Yes, the title of this post says it all! The holiday writer's block carries on. I am not completely down for the count. I do write a paragraph or two each day, but nothing is really exciting me. I am about ready to embark on some serious stuff (murder, mayhem and some steamy love), and I can't quite bring myself to get into the spirit.

Now I'm wondering if I need to play some different music or dress up or something! to get me in the mood. Writing is like everything in life. Sometimes it comes easy and other times it is a drag. I do have my moments of misgivings. I wonder sometimes if I am devoting too much of my life to writing down stories, but then I imagine not doing this and think, "Nah." I would just be sitting in front of the TV watching more HGTV!



These are the times that divide mice from men. Am I a mouse and do I keep whining about having no vision? Nothing comes easy. I don't like mice, anyways.

Gotta love the holidays!

So sorry that it has been a while since my last post! With the holidays and a young one, all free time seemed to go by the wayside!  Finally, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's is over and maybe I can get into a decent writing schedule again.

I have experienced writer's block recently, but wonder if it has something to do with the stress of the holidays. So, I realized it's not the end of the world if I don't write for a few days. The rest of the year I am like a writing machine. If I commit for an hour a night, that's what I do. I pride myself on my work ethic, and, to me, writing is like a job.

I must have a plan, and I must have a schedule. Even if it's not a full hour a day, I usually can get something down. By book 5, I should be used to this schedule-thing.

But what do I do when my mind is completely blank with what is to happen next? Because that is what is happening right now. Usually, I have a nice visual of the characters and the action that is happening, but lately it is a big dark area in my mind where there should be good things happening!

I don't have an answer. All can do is try to write a sentence or two. If I can do that, I will just go back and edit the chapters nearby to try to kick start my imagination. I hope that will work.

Stay tuned and I will let you know how it is working out

I've Just Experienced Another Time Warp...AGAIN!

Where, oh, where has the time gone? What? Christmas is almost here! Does anyone else feel that the older they get, the quicker time goes by?  I know it’s an old saying, but now in my advanced age, I believe it’s true!  Time is flying and it needs to slow down!

 

Then, I started wondering if there is scientific reasoning behind this and the answer is yes, yes there is! The article, "Why Does Time Seem to Speed Up with Age?" answers my burning question.

The brain gets used to the familiar and our way of categorizing time gets a little wonky. After reading this, I’m determined to experience more unfamiliar moments so my brain can stay active and not speed nearly so quickly to my (way in the future) eminent death. 

 

 

Looking for readers!

I am starting to compile a list of interested readers for advanced chapter copies of my newest work, which is more than halfway complete. If you are reading this, and you are interested (or might know someone interested) in a time travel to ancient Greece involving demigods, please email me at Angela@ParanormallyWeird.com

I'd like to start getting feedback on my work. The chapters will be previously read by my Southern Indiana writers group and my husband. I will send one chapter at a time, and if I get feedback from the reader, I will then send subsequent chapters. Quid pro quo and all that!

I am not looking for fixes in grammar. I am interested in if the chapter captures your interest. Do my characters make sense to you? Are their actions too wacky? (I have a tendency to go a bit overboard, once in a while!) Do you want to read further to find out what happens to everyone?

I look forward to working with my readers!

My First Author Fair Recap

I was fortunate enough to attend my very first author fair at a local library - Charlestown-Clark Public Library in Indiana last Monday. When I arrived (thirty minutes before the event start), our tables were set up and each table had the name of an author posted.

I was torn between using a table cover, but I noticed no one else utilized one, so I decided to leave it in the car. I don't doubt it would have made the table more finished, but I didn't want to go over the top. I was glad I did some research on helpful items to bring with me.

Here is a list of items:
1. Books to sell - since I am self-published, the location would have no way to obtain my work, so I decided to bring 4 copies of each book.
2. PR materials - book marks with blog/ website and list of books and business cards.
3. Stand up poster - I created a document that consisted of all 4 book covers in 8 x 10 format and set it at front of my table in a plastic holder.
4. ARC sign-up sheet - for people interested in receiving advanced reader copies of chapters. As I am getting feedback from individuals, I will send them more complimentary chapters.
5. Book stands - small stands I bought from Michaels. I used these to hold up each of my books at the front of my table.
6. Printed summaries of each book - to hand out to interested individuals if they would more info on any of my works.
7. Write up on any books not available - I made single copies of description of a book that was in transit and was redirected to Florida right before the my book signing.
8. Nice pen for book signings - quick dry, good grip needed. I used blue ink.
9. "Signed by Author" stickers - just a nice item to have. Creates a finished look and it was a big hit with all the authors that didn't have the sticker.

So, all in all, I was ready for my author signing.  The only thing I really needed was more traffic. I did lurk in the hallway to tell the people entering the library about our book signing. I did get one person to come in that had no affiliation with any author. I took that as a plus.

I am eager for the opportunity for the next book signing, as I really enjoyed sharing the room with other authors.

I Need Tough Skin... But Not Too Tough

So, you would think after writing four books and working on my fifth, I would be okay with issues that pop-up while in the process of writing. I have to admit, when I first hear I am heading the wrong way, or if what I'm trying to get on paper isn't translating correctly, my first reaction is anger.



I am angry with me for not realizing something isn't right, and possibly, angry at the person that told me. Then a minute later, their words sink in, and I am able to process their constructive criticism. I say to people I yearn for constructive criticism, but it's almost if someone is calling your baby ugly. It takes a while for the red haze to die down, and what is left is a golden egg.

My husband gave me a "crazy" look (includes a weird eye/eyebrow thing) when I told him about my trouble with part of my Greek story. I should have realized this wasn't going to go well. We were eating at Olive Garden and having a nice discussion on what part of the story I was getting wrong. If anyone doesn't know, my husband is a genius in world history, ancient history, and almost every other kind of history.

But after my hands stopped shaking from anger at having my main character's actions get shot down, common sense set in. He was right! After a level headed conversation, I find myself more excited about where this story will be going then before. This opened my mind on how important it is to talk story ideas with people.

Get their ideas or, at least, their feelings on how things are going, especially if you find yourself writing without a strong voice. If you don't know where your character is going, your writing doesn't, either. The next step in this process was to write down our ideas. When we started brain storming, too many ideas were swirling around. I can't remember everything we talked about a day later, and I know it, so I pulled my phone to take notes as we were discussing various ideas.

Mostly, just be willing to tweak (or completely overhaul) your story, if needed. It makes the manuscript better to have fully thought through ideas. Be thankful and appreciative that someone you know is willing to help you design a more cohesive storyline.